V Star 250 highway power and driving

Anyone here drive their 250 on the interstate? How's it do. I imagine it is a bit buzzy and could get tiring, and I've got a 950 so I can't be of much help. A friend of mine is looking around and is excited at Vstars for his wife's bike. She isn't super small, fairly strong for her size I'd say, but they want to do a lot of highway driving.

I will echo what others say. If she is getting a V Star 250 and wants to ride on the highway she better be prepared. I shudder to think about hills, wind, cross winds, or even semis passing and all of that. A larger bike will feel much more stable. She might need to learn on a 250, but as soon as she is ready to get on a larger bike I would recommend it.

lots of good answers here. I've not owned or ridden a V*250, but I rode with a guy (guessing 6'2", 200lbs. and he would bring his 14 y-o son on the back (6'0" 110lbs) and never complained. HOWEVER, group ride was mostly going 65 mph on a 70mph road. So, if they are good around 65 to 70 it should not be a problem but if 70mph means 75-85 they may opt for something bigger.
I will add that he never complained, and when I asked, he always said, it's fine...I recently had the opportunity to drive him half way across Texas to pick up his "New to him" V* 950 and he was like wow! I can't believe I rode that 250 for so long.

I find that the 250 is a pretty powerful engine but as the others have said once you get up in the 70 mph 110 km range the power peters out. Even with a steep hill at 50 mph 80 km you have to twist over well on the throttle. One thing that you may want to consider is how your wife can handle a larger bike. My wife finds the 250 an ideal size as she is able to handle it well without feeling the bike is driving her. Not the other way around. She also feels if she can't pick it up easily then she won't ride it. Myself I like the 250 bike and would take it on most highways or freeways unless people drive in excess. I like to drive the speed limit so I don't have a problem. As for riding long distances I have to stop every hour to hour and a half anyways whether in a car or motorcycle . One down side to having less weight on the 250 is that you are more prone to side winds and transport truck drafts. If you get the 250 put on a windshield as this helps a lot. All in all you will enjoy the 250 for getting going or even staying with it.

I'd recommend a 600. I wouldn't want to be riding a 250cc bike on the interstate with wind and semi trucks passing me. Just a little scary I think. I think anyone can be fine on a 600cc bike if they take ti slowly to begin with.

(09-24-2012, 05:43 PM)Coleman Wrote: Anyone here drive their 250 on the interstate? How's it do. I imagine it is a bit buzzy and could get tiring, and I've got a 950 so I can't be of much help. A friend of mine is looking around and is excited at Vstars for his wife's bike. She isn't super small, fairly strong for her size I'd say, but they want to do a lot of highway driving.

I Ride my 250 to work 32 miles one way . It is great. I live in Arizona where it is flat and straight. The 250 is great commuting but I wouldn't take it on a trip into the hills. The top speed on mine is about 80 flat out. It will cruze at 65 easy and I am in the 230 pound range. I would step up if I was traveling on the Interstates. Hope this helps.

I had the same question concerning my brand new 2012 VStar250 (XV250BCB) which I took delivery on 2 days ago.

Since I do not have my license yet and still in the process of practicing and getting ready to go take my written test and required safety course, my Dad is going to take it for a "shake-down" cruise as he calls it, on the regular town streets, the twisties and on the freeways.